51From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 23 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit you a Letter, which I received yesterday from Governor Tryon, enclosing the draughts of the Two Bills, I forwarded before, with his certificate of the manner in which they came to his hands; accompanied by his more extraordinary and impertinent request, that through my means, the contents should be communicated to the Officers & Men of this Army. This Engine of...
52From John Adams to the President of the Congress, 25 April 1778 (Adams Papers)
Having had so short Notice of this Opportunity, I can only have the Honour of writing a few Lines, and of inclosing a few News Papers. If the Dispatches of the Commissioners, have not met with uncommon ill Fortune you must before this Time, have received the important News of the Treaty, as well as authentic Information of the Agonies of G.B. Whether she will plunge herself, with uniform and...
53From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 25 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform Congress, that the report of the Commissioners coming, according to intelligence received yesterday by a Person of Philadelphia, is confidently believed, and it is there thought, that they will very soon arrive. I think it almost certain, that the matter will not be delayed, as the conduct of Ministry in not sending them immediately after their former propositions has...
54From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 27 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor, yesterday afternoon, to receive your Letter of the 24th continued to the 25th, with it’s important inclosures. Congress will be pleased to accept my sincere thanks for the fresh instance of confidence, manifested in their Resolution of the 23d and other proceedings, and they may rest assured, that whatever powers are intrusted to me, shall be invariably directed to promote the...
55From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 30 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you much for your obliging favor of the 27th. I think with you, that a most important crisis is now at hand; & that there cannot be too much wisdom in all our Councils for conducting our affairs to a safe and happy issue. There should in my opinion be a full representation of the States in Congress, which I have often regretted has not been the case for a long time past. I also concur...
56From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 30 April 1778 (Washington Papers)
The extensive ill consequences arising from a want of uniformity in discipline and manœuvres throughout the Army—have long occasioned me to wish for the establishment of a well organised inspectorship, and the concurrence of Congress in the same views has induced me to set on foot a temporary institution, which from the success that has hitherto attended it, gives me the most flattering...
57From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your dispatches of the 27th Inst. In compliance with the request of Congress, I shall immediately call upon the Officers in the Army to take the Oath of Allegiance & Abjuration. This I should have done, as soon as the Resolution passed, had it not been for the state of the Army at that time, and that there were some strong reasons which made it expedient to...
58George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Valley Forge, May 3, 1778 . Discusses reasons for lack of Indian aid. Thinks the United States should continue to try to counteract British overtures to Indians. LS , in writing of H, Papers of the Continental Congress, National Archives; Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
59From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 3 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
In a late letter from General Schuyler, I received the proceedings of a Board of Commissioners for Indian-affairs held at Albany the 15th of last month. It appears by them, and some other accounts, I have seen, that there is but little prospect of succeeding in the plan, for engaging a body of Indians from that quarter to serve with this army. The advantage, which the enemy possess over us, in...
60From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Last night at 11 oClock, I was honored with your despatches of the 3d. The Contents afford me the most sensible pleasure. Mr Simeon Deane had informed me, by a line from Bethlehem, that he was the Bearer of the Articles of alliance &ca between France and the States. I shall defer celebrating this happy event in a suitable manner, untill I have liberty from Congress to announce it publickly. I...
61From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit to Congress a copy of a Letter from General Howe, which I received at three O’Clock this afternoon. The contents are exceedingly interesting to the unhappy prisoners in his hands. I thought it my duty to forward ’em immediately, and I must request that Congress will be pleased to inform me, as soon as possible, what line of conduct I am to pursue upon this...
62From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honor to receive in due time, your several favors of the 3d 6th & 9th Inst., with the Papers to which they respectively alluded. After much consideration upon the subject, I have appointed General McIntosh to command at Fort Pit & in the Western Country for which he will set out, as soon as he can accommodate his affairs. I part with this Gentleman with much reluctance, as I esteem...
63From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been honored with your two favors of the 11 & 15 Instant, with the several papers alluded to; the former by Monsr Jemat—the latter by Express yesterday. Colo. Johnson set out on saturday afternoon to wait on Congress upon the subject of his appointment, and I presume will be at York to day. I shall announce the Resolution of the 15th to the Army, and would flatter myself, it will quiet...
64From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
General McIntosh will have the honor to deliver you this. He is now on his way to take the command at Pitsburg and in the western frontiers, and waites on Congress for their instructions. I would also take the liberty of submitting to Congress the inclosed account of Expences incurred by the General in his Journey from Georgia to join this Army, and which he presented to me and to the Auditors...
65From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your two favors of the 20 & 21st Instant with their Inclosures. I have transmitted General Howe a Copy of the Resolution of the 21st respecting prisoners, and supposing him willing to effect an Exchange immediately, I have written to Mr Boudinot and requested him, as he is in possession of all the papers concerning them, to come to Camp without delay and superintend the...
66From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you on the 24th Instant, nothing material has happened. The Enemy are still in philadelphia, but the intelligence from thence is so clear and so strong, that it is certain, or nearly as much so as any Event can be that is contingent, that they mean to abandon it. Against the various measures they are pursuing, which point to an evacuation, there is but one...
67From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Lt Colo. John Gibson of the 6th Virginia Regiment, who, from his knowledge of the Western Country and Indian Nations and language, is ordered to repair to pitsburg will have the honor of delivering you this. He is intitled and has been ever since the Twenty fifth of October last to a Regiment in that line, and I must take the liberty to request that Congress will give him a Commission of that...
68From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 May 1778 (Washington Papers)
Your polite favor of the 5th Instt I duly received, and thank you much for the information contained in it. at the sametime, I earnestly request, that you will endulge me with an excuse for not answering it before—a constant croud of business, and the intervention of a variety of circumstances have been the cause; and not an inattention to the rules of civility, or to those of friendship. Your...
69From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 31 May–1 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor to receive your favor of the 25th Inst. by Doctor Scudder, and that of the 29th yesterday afternoon, with the inclosures and packet to which they referred. I shall inform Major Lee of the New arrangement of his corps and will appoint the officers required. Major Beatty is not in camp. The letter addressed to him shall be sent by the first opportunity, to Princetown, where I...
70From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 2 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I beg leave to inform you, that agreably to the Resolutions transmitted in your Favor of the 31st Ulto, I shall undertake the reform of the North Carolina Batallions in Camp, as soon as circumstances will admit. I sincerely wish the Legislatures of the several States had passed Laws, adopting the generous policy, recommended by Congress in their Resolution of the 23d of April. I am assured, by...
71From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 4 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty to transmit you by Express, the inclosed packet, which just arrived at our advanced post by a flag from Sir Henry Clinton. I also transmit a Copy of a Letter I received from him, of the 30th Ulto and of my answer; likewise Copies of his and Lord Howe’s Letters which came to hand by the present flag. The packet, I presume, contains Acts similar to those sent to me. I have the...
72From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your Favors of the 4 & 5 Inst., and with the Resolutions and papers to which they refer. I have taken measures to communicate the New Establishment of the Army through the Line, and the sooner the arrangements can be made the better. Should there appear further regulations necessary, I shall take the liberty to offer my Sentiments respecting them. My principal...
73From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 9 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was favoured with yours of the 6th Inst. inclosing copies of your answers to Lord Howe and General Clinton. The originals I sent in early this morning by a flag. I have the honor to transmit you a duplicate of a letter I received from Sir Henry Clinton for the purpose of procuring a passport for Doctor Ferguson (the secretary to the Kings Commission) to Congress, with my answer to him; on...
74From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 10 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Major Campbell of the 13th Virginia Regiment will have the Honor of presenting you with this. He is now on his way at the earnest sollicitation of General McIntosh to serve in the Western department and waites on Congress to obtain, if they shall think proper, a Commission for a Lieutenant Colonelcy in the Virginia Line, to which he has been intitled in the ordinary course, since the 20th of...
75From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 8th which was duly recieved. I must take the freedom to hint to you, that if in the packets transmitted by this conveyance there are any Letters for persons, with whom you are not acquainted, or in whose firmness and attachment you have not an entire confidence, it may not be improper to open them. This I am persuaded would be the case; However I am the more...
76From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 15 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your favors of the 11th & 14th Instant, and with the inclosures to which they refer. The Resolution for settling the value of Rations which have become due since the 1st of January and fixing the mode of payment, I shall announce in this days orders, and hope it will be highly satisfactory to all who are interested in it. I have notified General Mifflin of the...
77From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Baron Steuben will have the Honor of delivering you this. I do not know particularly, the extent of his business at York, but from what he has communicated, it is in part to get the duties and powers of his appointment minutely defined and settled. I inclose a Copy of orders on the 15th Inst., which were issued to quiet the minds of the General Officers and to remove a spirit of jealousy,...
78From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform Congress, that I was this minute advised by Mr Roberts that the Enemy evacuated the City early this morning. He was down at the Middle ferry on this side, where he received the intelligence from a number of the Citizens, who were on the opposite shore. They told him, that about Three Thousand of the Troops had embarked on board Transports. The destruction of the...
79From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the Honor of addressing you this forenoon, I received your Letter of the 17th with it’s several Inclosures. I am happy in the approbation of Congress respecting my conduct to Doctor Ferguson. I could not find, after the maturest consideration on the subject, that his passage through the Country could be in any wise material, or answer any other purpose than to spread disaffection....
80Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 18 June 1778 (Madison Papers)
General Washington sent me an Account of the Drafted Soldiers that have joined the Army from this State; & it appears that not one half of the Number voted by the Assembly have got to Camp. Truth obliges me to add that very few more of the Drafts will ever be got into the Service. I lament this capital Deficiency in our Quota of Troops; but no Efforts of the Executive have been sufficient to...
81From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 20 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that I am now advanced with the main body of the Army within Ten miles of Coryels ferry, and shall halt to refresh the Troops and for the night, as the Weather is very rainy. Genl Lee with the six Brigades mentioned in my former Letter, will reach the Ferry this Evening. My last accounts from Jersey were from Genl Dickinson, dated Yesterday at 3 OClock P.M....
82From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 21 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
This will be delivered you by Major Wemp, who has the care of some Warriors from the Senecca Nation. The inclosed copy of a Letter from our Commissioners will shew, that they are come to obtain the release of Astiarix, Another Warrior, who was taken on the Frontiers of Virginia. I never heard of the circumstance, till I was informed of it a few days ago by a Letter from General Schuyler. As...
83From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that I am now in Jersey and that the Troops are passing the River at Coryel’s; and are mostly over. The latest intelligence I have had respecting the Enemy, was yesterday from Genl Dickinson. He says they were in the morning, at Mores Town and Mount Holly, but that he had not been able to learn what rout they would pursue from thence; nor was it easy to...
84To George Washington from Henry Laurens, 25 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
On the 23d I had the honor of presenting Your Excellency’s Letter of the 20th & last Evening of receiving one of the 22d which shall be presented this Morning. Congress have been so attentive to Confederation some five or six days past, as to admit of scarcely another consideration—& have now Resolved to adjourn to Philadelphia on the 27th. I therefore judge it best to return the bearer with...
85From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 28 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I was duly honored with your favor of the 20th Instant, with the report to which it referred, and trust my situation will apol[og]ize for my not answering it before. I am now here with the main body of the Army and pressing hard to come up with the Enemy. They encamped yesterday at Monmouth Court House, having almost the whole of their front, particularly their left wing, secured by a Marsh...
86From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 29 June 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that about seven OClock yesterday Morning both Armies advanced on each other. About 12 they met on the Grounds near Monmouth Court House, when an action commenced. We forced the Enemy from the Feild and encamped on the Ground. They took a strong post in our front, secured on both flanks by Morasses and thick Woods, where they remained till about 12 at Night, and...
87From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 1 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I embrace this first moment of leisure, to give Congress a more full and particular account of the movements of the Army under my command, since its passing the Delaware, than the situation of our Affairs would heretofore permit. I had the honor to advise them, that on the appearances of the enemy’s intention to march thro’ Jersey becoming serious, I had detatched General Maxwells Brigade, in...
88George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New Brunswick, New Jersey ] July 7, 1778 . States that American forces have advanced to North River. Asks that Committee for Arranging the Army begin operations at once. Df , in writings of Robert Hanson Harrison and H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
89From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 7 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I have the Honor to inform you, that on sunday morning the left wing of the Army moved towards the North river—The right followed yesterday; and the second line which forms the rear division, is also now in motion. I shall advance, as fast as I can, consistently with the circumstances of the weather and the health of the Troops. The Enemy, from the advices of our parties of observation, were...
90Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 8 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Some Resolutions of Congress & proceedings of the Board of War, have been lately transmitted to me, by which it appears that an Expedition against Fort Detroit is resolved on. In order to effect the purposes of it 2000 of the Militia together with Amunition, provisions, Horses, military Stores, Cloathing &c. &c. are requested to be furnished by this State: I should most chearfully exert myself...
91Patrick Henry in Council to Henry Laurens, 10 July 1778 (Madison Papers)
Just after sending away my Letter to you of the 8th. on the Subject of the Expedition to Detroit, the inclosed Letter from Mr. Lockhart came to my Hands. As it [is] impossible to furnish him with the capital Articles he wants, & as the Beef Cattle cannot be taken from the Monopolizers he mentions, I think additional Reasons appear for postponing the Expedition. However refering to my last & to...
92George Washington to Henry Laurens, 11 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
Paramus [ New Jersey ] July 11, 1778 . Acknowledges receipt of Laurens’s congratulations on Battle of Monmouth. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
93From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 12 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
On friday evening I had the honor to receive your Letter of the 7th Instant, with it’s inclosures. The vote of approbation and thanks, which Congress have been pleased to honor me with, gives me the highest satisfaction, and, at the same time, demands a return of my sincerest acknowledgements. The other resolution, I communicated, with great pleasure, to the Army at large in Yesterday’s...
94From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 14 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor yesterday evening of receiving your very important favor of the 10th instant. Colonel Laurens, one of my aids, will set out this morning with a letter to the French Admiral the Count d’Estaing inclosing a copy of yours, and such other information as I have been able to collect. Its further purpose is for the establishing a convention of signals in case of co-operation; or to...
95The Commissioners to the President of the Congress, 20 July 1778 (Adams Papers)
Passy, 20 July 1778. printed : JA, Diary and Autobiography Diary and Autobiography of John Adams , ed. L. H. Butterfield and others, Cambridge, 1961; 4 vols. , 4:168–170 ; also, with “The Function of Consuls” enclosed, in Wharton, ed., Dipl. Corr. Amer. Rev. Francis Wharton, ed., The Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States , Washington, 1889; 6 vols. , 2:650–653. The...
96From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 22 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
Since I had the honor of addressing you on the 14th, I have been favoured with your Letters of the 11th and 17th, with their respective inclosures. The next morning after the receipt of the former, which came to hand on the 17th, I dispatched Lt Colo. Hamilton another of my Aides, with the best pilots and the most skilful masters of ships, I could procure, to Admiral Count D’Estaing, to...
We have just received a Message from Monsr. Le Comte De Vergennes, by his Secretary, acquainting Us; that Information is received from England of the Intention of the Cabinet there, to offer (by additional Instructions to their Commissioners) Independence to the United States, on Condition of their making a Separate Peace, relying on their Majority in both Houses, for Approbation of the...
98From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 24 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
I had yesterday the pleasure to receive your favor of the 18th Instant with the inclosure and packets, which you mentioned. I should have been sorry, if you or Monsieur Gerard had found the smallest difficulty in recommending the packets for the Count D’Estaing to my care; and I am happy to inform you, that they will meet with a speedy and safe conveyance to him by an Officer, who has set off...
99George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 July 1778 (Hamilton Papers)
White Plains [ New York ] July 26, 1778 . Regrets Baron von Steuben finds it necessary to resign. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
100From George Washington to Henry Laurens, 26 July 1778 (Washington Papers)
The Baron De Steuben will have the honor of delivering you this. I am extremely sorry, that this Gentlemans situation and views seem to have determined him to quit the service, in which he has been heretofore and is capable still of being extensively useful. Some discontents which arose among the Officers on account of the powers with which the Office was at first vested, induced me to arrange...